Pain management physician vs surgical physician assistant

The differences between pain management physicians and surgical physician assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pain management physician has an average salary of $253,724, which is higher than the $153,482 average annual salary of a surgical physician assistant.

The top three skills for a pain management physician include pain management, patients and primary care. The most important skills for a surgical physician assistant are patients, patient care, and diagnostic tests.

Pain management physician vs surgical physician assistant overview

	Pain Management Physician	Surgical Physician Assistant
Yearly salary	$253,724	$153,482
Hourly rate	$121.98	$73.79
Growth rate	28%	28%
Number of jobs	109,196	73,380
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	-	-

What does a pain management physician do?

Pain management physicians are medical doctors who diagnose and coordinate treatment while providing care for patients who are experiencing pain. By understanding the physiology of pain, these physicians are required to conduct specialized tests to diagnose complex pain conditions as well as prescribe proper medications and therapies to treat them. They must observe their patients for their ability to function and overall quality of life. Pain management physicians must also work with other healthcare professionals such as physical therapists, physiatrists, and nurses to meet all the needs of their patients.

What does a surgical physician assistant do?

A surgical physician assistant plays a vital role in surgeries and patient care. In surgeries, they typically assist surgeons by performing physical examinations on patients, handing tools and necessary items, closing incisions, and even maintaining the cleanliness of operating rooms while adhering to the hospital's health and safety regulations. It is also their duty to assist patients before and after surgeries by answering inquiries, discussing important matters such as treatment options, prescribing or administering medicine, and counseling patients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way.

Pain management physician vs surgical physician assistant salary

Pain management physicians and surgical physician assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pain Management Physician	Surgical Physician Assistant
Average salary	$253,724	$153,482
Salary range	Between $129,000 And $497,000	Between $89,000 And $264,000
Highest paying City	Grand Island, NE	Rochester, MN
Highest paying state	Nebraska	Nebraska
Best paying company	HealthPartners	Mayo Clinic
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	Health Care

Differences between pain management physician and surgical physician assistant education

There are a few differences between a pain management physician and a surgical physician assistant in terms of educational background:

	Pain Management Physician	Surgical Physician Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 38%	Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common major	Nursing	Physician Assistant
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Pain management physician vs surgical physician assistant demographics

Here are the differences between pain management physicians' and surgical physician assistants' demographics:

	Pain Management Physician	Surgical Physician Assistant
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%	Male, 39.5% Female, 60.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 11.2% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 11.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between pain management physician and surgical physician assistant duties and responsibilities

Pain management physician example responsibilities.

Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Perform prosthetic rehabilitation for amputee patients and participate in workshop on post prosthetic rehabilitation.
Operate EMR (electronic medical record )
Sell OFIRMEV to surgery centers for use in peri-operative protocols as an analgesic therapy.
work hardening rehabilitation in an outpatient clinic setting
Participate in workshop on spinal cord injuries and orthotic rehabilitation.

Surgical physician assistant example responsibilities.

Manage s/p cardiac bypass in recovery unit, ICU and step down units.
Work closely with patients to manage their depression and anxiety beginning with initial diagnosis to med-initiation and follow-up care.
Certify CPR and basic first aid instructor trainer.
Perform debridement, incision and drainage, wind VAC, ostomy care.
Perform resuscitative measures in a code setting using ACLS, ATLS protocols.
Perform minor procedures including but not limit to: Foley catheter placement, drain removal, dressing changes and removals

Pain management physician vs surgical physician assistant skills

Common pain management physician skills

Pain Management, 26%
Patients, 19%
Primary Care, 7%
Family Practice, 6%
Rehabilitation, 6%
Surgery, 4%

Common surgical physician assistant skills

Patients, 29%
Patient Care, 12%
Diagnostic Tests, 6%
Physical Examinations, 4%
Surgical Procedures, 3%
CPR, 3%

Pain Management Physician vs. similar jobs

Pain Management Physician related careers

Pain Management Physician related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Pain Management Physician
Pain Management Physician vs Surgical Physician Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs